-
KY Atheists Want God out of Homeland Security
- Dec 4, 2008 at 4:52 PM
- By
- Comments (11) Total Views (158) Everyone can see this journal post.
Omg I was just flipping thru channels and temporarily stopped on MSNBC, and saw that this was an upcoming subject. After hearing it all I had to find an article to share with you all.
This is the sad sad state I live in. :(
Article here http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/28029857/
Ky. atheists want God out of homeland security
State law requires office to acknowledge divine help in anti-terror efforts
terrorism |
FRANKFORT, Kentucky - A group of atheists filed a lawsuit Tuesday seeking to remove part of a state anti-terrorism law that requires Kentucky's Office of Homeland Security to acknowledge it can't keep the state safe without God's help.
American Atheists Inc. sued in state court over a 2002 law that stresses God's role in Kentucky's homeland security alongside the military, police agencies and health departments.
Of particular concern is a 2006 clause requiring the Office of Homeland Security to post a plaque that says the safety and security of the state "cannot be achieved apart from reliance upon almighty God" and to stress that fact through training and educational materials.
The plaque, posted at the Kentucky Emergency Operations Center in Frankfort, includes the Bible verse: "Except the Lord keep the city, the watchman waketh but in vain."
"It is one of the most egregiously and breathtakingly unconstitutional actions by a state legislature that I've ever seen," said Edwin F. Kagin, national legal director of Parsippany, New Jersey-based American Atheists Inc. The group claims the law violates both the state and U.S. constitution
But Democratic state Rep. Tom Riner, a Baptist minister from Louisville, said he considers it vitally important to acknowledge God's role in protecting Kentucky and the United States.
"No government by itself can guarantee perfect security," Riner said. "There will always be this opposition to the acknowledgment of divine providence, but this is a foundational understanding of what America is."
Center of legal battles
Kentucky
has been at the center of a series of legal battles involving religious
issues in recent years, most involving displays of the Ten Commandments
in public buildings. One case went to the U.S. Supreme Court, which
ruled in 2005 that such displays inside courthouses in two counties
were unconstitutional.
Kentucky isn't the only state dealing with religious issues, but Ed Buckner, president of American Atheists, said it's alone in officially enlisting God in homeland security.
"I'm not aware of any other state or commonwealth that is attempting to dump their clear responsibility for protecting their citizens onto God or any other mythological creature," Buckner said.
Comments:
i cant believe some people just cuz they dont believe in god they want to ruin things and make changes just because they dont believe/dont like god.leave it alone and let it be.really when it comes down to it just how personal is it to them anyway.let us all live our lives
Because it is a separation of church and state issue. People are free to believe what they want. How would you feel if god was replaced with allah?
well if it was something that made sense maybe.im not a big christian or anything it doesnt bother me its just the fact of changing things that have seemed to be a certain way for so long
Just because something has been a certain way for so long doesn't mean it shouldn't be changed. How long were women property of men and could not vote? How long were African Americans enslaved? Change is what makes this country a better place to be.
Totally right on sgr123! Couldn't have said it better myself. Change is good........ thats one of the reasons I love Obama. :)
Yikes...you are always hitting on the touchy subjects.. I think that you said this was a sad state because you agree with the lawsuit, correct? So sgr123 suggestion for you to move further South is a tad off base. I know that HS does not rely on God for our safety and security to the extent that they will not put forth their best effort to protect us. I also know not everyone in HS believes in God. It is not a job requirement. I guess to appease the atheists you could take down the plaques, but guess what? It won't CHANGE the faith of those who believe.
What are you talking about EiEiO? I know why I said what I said. In other words, it could be worse. Sorry, you didn't get that.
you know i have to agree with sgr123, its separation of church and state. by having that in our government offices they are trying to say that "Christianity" is the most important religion. Also by having those in there they are giving the impression that "Christianity" it the established religion for this country. Our constitution forbids establishing a religion for this country. The First Amendment, right at the very beginning: 'Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise of religion.' It is contrary to our whole tradition of freedom of worship to have anything like an established religion."
EiEiO -- aawww my dearest friend! *huggz* Yes you know I love those touchy subjects, heehee
Already a member? Click here to log in
Meet jessicasmom1
This Pennsylvania mom of a 12-year-old girl wishes her daughter's father was still alive to see his little girl all grown up now.
Sounds awesome. God has no place in the government. I do know what kind of state it is, I was born and raised in Louisville. It's about time someone stepped up and put a stop to the blatant violation of the constitution.
If you think it's so sad to live in the bluegrass, you could always move further south.
- sgr123
Message Friend Invite